Mumbai: HSBC and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) have announced a landmark one-year partnership for India and Singapore, covering the 2025 competitive season in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup qualification final matches. This collaboration will see the Argentina national football team—including football legend Lionel Messi—visit India for an international exhibition match in October 2025.
This first-of-its-kind partnership between HSBC and the Argentina National Team marks a historic collaboration between banking and sport. HSBC will hold branding and activation rights in India and Singapore, giving its customers exclusive access to match tickets, curated fan experiences, and meet-and-greet opportunities with Argentina’s football stars.
The Argentine National Team enjoys a massive fan base in both India and Singapore. HSBC will tap into this enthusiasm by rolling out special consumer experiences and launching a brand campaign featuring the World Champions as brand ambassadors for HSBC.
Sandeep Batra, Head, International Wealth and Premier Banking, HSBC India, expressed excitement about the collaboration, “HSBC is proud to announce our groundbreaking partnership with the Argentine Football Association in India and Singapore. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to opening a world of opportunities and celebrating excellence. As we join forces with one of the most revered teams in the world of football, we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for fans and customers alike, and supporting the Argentine team in their journey towards the World Cup 2026. Together, we share a vision of passion, performance, and professionalism, and this partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in sports and banking synergy.”
Claudio Fabian Tapia, President of AFA, highlighted the significance of the agreement, “We are delighted to have HSBC, the unique banking institution of India, as a new partner for the Argentine Football Association in India. A new milestone has been achieved for the international expansion of AFA, opening new opportunities with HSBC both in India and in Singapore. This agreement looks after our team and we look forward to consolidate our agreement and extend in multiple regions as we progress in 2025 and 2026. We welcome HSBC as the new partner of the Argentina National Team.”
Leandro Petersen, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer of AFA, emphasized the growing presence of AFA in international markets, “This new partnership with HSBC is a new step into the global expansion of the AFA brand. Since 2021, AFA has opened commercial offices in India, identifying key opportunities and generating a close identification with the Indian community. The opening of new markets in India and the Americas is part of the strategic vision of AFA executives since 2018. Our mission is to keep delivering value to our sponsors and consolidate global key regions for the years to come. We are pleased that HSBC has chosen the Argentina Champions as brand image and ambassadors during this exciting period in 2025. AFA and HSBC will be creating unique marketing campaigns increasing the synergy and power of our brands in the Indian market. With great enthusiasm, we trust the partnership with HSBC will be a great success.”
With this collaboration, fans in India will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the Argentine team live in action. HSBC’s partnership with AFA signifies a strong connection between sports and financial excellence, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to engaging with communities through passion-driven initiatives.
